This is nice, but what about churches for the people who live there (the Copts)? They have been forbidden to build new churches or even to repair the old ones. It's a disgrace, and I think the Pope should have addressed the tragic suffering that the Copts are undergoing instead of merely whining about lack of churches for tourists. I think it would be better to build/fix Coptic Catholic churches and let the tourists actually experience a taste of Egypt than build Latin-Rite churches that only serve tourists. Not to be too offensive but that would be like building an American chain restaurant in Rome.
Recently in Papal Category
The pope sent a text message to World Youth Day pilgrims: "The Holy Spirit gave the Apostles and gives u the power boldly 2 proclaim that Christ is risen! - BXVI."
Too funny!
The pope is weighing in on climate change more, saying "We have to give impulse to rediscovering our responsibility and to finding an ethical way to change our way of life." These are probably the strongest statements yet he has made on the subject. He also spoke on the sexual abuse crisis.
John Paul's cause for beatification is advancing. The documentation of his "heroic virtues" is nearly complete. It's a critical step in the process, a stepping stone to being declared Venerable.
For the first time since the Second Vatican Council, the Pope celebrated the liturgy cum populo, with the people, instead of against the people (versus populo). In other words, he celebrated facing a wall altar rather than facing the people at a freestanding one.
Note what I am careful not to say. (See the article headline for the term I am not using.) Ah, the power of language to change what people think.
At my church we celebrate in this fashion (although we do have a freestanding altar) and I have come to prefer it because it has a sense of the priest leading us in worship, being a fellow-worshipper, and not a cynosure. I think priests and ministers that face the congregation draw too much attention to themselves. It's a distraction, to be blunt.
This was especially brought home when I was a "praise leader" for a prayer meeting once. I hated facing the assembly because it felt awkward to worship. I wasn't worshiping them, after all. I'd rather either face an icon or crucifix (not to worship it of course but as a way to focus myself), or face dead air. Anything but a sea of faces.
I think the Pope understands this. In any case he is on the record regretting the turning of the altars around and seems to be trying to effect slow change in this area. Good for him, I say.
The Daily Mail reports that the pope has recently made a rather surprising statement on climate change, essentially casting doubt on the gloom and doom prophecies of global warming theory advocates. While he acknowledges that there is some truth in there, they say he thinks it's overhyped. I was kind of surprised to see the pope take a stand on this issue, but as it turns out, virtually none of this, as far as I can tell, is true.
I was tipped off by this column which while not entirely clear got me looking at the original text. The furthest the pope goes is when he says, "It is important for assessments in this regard to be carried out prudently, in dialogue with experts and people of wisdom, uninhibited by ideological pressure to draw hasty conclusions, and above all with the aim of reaching agreement on a model of sustainable development capable of ensuring the well-being of all while respecting environmental balances." That cuts both ways, though admittedly in the present context, one might assume he means don't draw global warming conclusions too hastily. Still, even if he does, what they say about this is an exaggeration.
Just goes to show you: Whenever the media reports on the pope or the church, you have to check it out.
He also emphasized that ecology should put humans ahead of plants and animals. I am glad to hear him say that.
Pope Pius XII was the first pope both to use a telephone and to use an electric razor, according to Envoy Magazine — an excellent Catholic magazine of evangelization and apologetics published by apologist Patrick Madrid. (They have a deal where you can get a free issue and a free book if you wish.)
"Monsignor Valentin Miserachs Grau, the director of the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, believes the entire church should return to Gregorian chance."
Is that, er, an ancient game that was played by the great pope?
The context was an article on Gregorian chants, or really, chant, and the revival the Pope is launching of it. Makes one wonder if they submitted the article over the phone.
Boy I'd like to hear the reaction of people who thought John Paul was conservative (I never did). This is just another sign Benedict has clearly made his rightward mark on the church. Anyway the traditionalists (among whom I definitely do not count myself) are rejoicing I am sure.
The long-in-coming motu proprio document approving wider use of the Latin Mass has been signed by the Pope and will soon be published. And boy, you should hear the media squeal. The Philadelphia Church of God gets it wrong because they think "extraordinary rite" exalts it above the current Mass (au contraire, "extraordinary" means the exception rather than the norm). USA Today wrote a scathing piece of drivel where they managed to dismiss the whole rite for prayers offered on one day of the year and make it sound like the Latin Mass folks are about to reverse Vatican II. It also says that "clashes with congregations may erupt as priests push the Latin Mass." Huh? I don't think they realize that it is hard to get a priest who is able to celebrate the Latin Mass, much less one who wants to push it on congregants. Never mind that this is a grassroots movement: It is the people (a tiny minority of them, anyway) who want the Latin Mass, not the clerics who are trying to impose it on an unwilling populace.
Methinks this move is getting more credit than it's worth.
If I hadn't already bought, I think, two commemorative medals of John Paul II I'd jump at this. On the other hand this is a real investment-grade gold coin, unlike the other pieces I have. Oh, what the heck; there are only going to be 5,000 of these sold!!
There is also a silver one, much cheaper. Or should I say, more silver one; this coin is 58% silver. But I feel funny honoring John Paul in silver ...
(His personal secretary is helping him put on his red mantle.)
Several miracles suitable for beatification have been attributed to John Paul II. The article, alas, gives no information on the alleged miracles, except that one in France is being scrutinized for his beatification. Although they are getting ahead of themselves; he hasn't even been declared venerable. (Though, did Blessed Teresa of Calcutta go through that stage? I certainly don't recall it.)
I've said this before, but I just think it's so cool to belong to a religion that not only believes in miracles, but requires them as a condition for routine declarations.
Think about it ... what are the chances of having two awesome popes in a row? Check out these excerpts from the Pope's address to the Austrian bishops. I interpret it as him gently dressing them down for the disaster of secularization in their country. "A Catholic teaching that is given in an incomplete manner is a contradiction in itself and cannot be fruitful in the long term." "Think of the way in which, little by little, the teaching of religion, catechesis at the different levels and preaching can be improved, deepened and, so to speak, completed. . . . Please, use the Compendium and the Catechism of the Catholic Church with zeal." "The spark of Christian zeal can be lit again." I urge you to follow the link, it isn't long.
This is a pope who is willing to firmly preach the Gospel in an inspiring way. I see in him a true pastor. Some say he is not charismatic but I think he is, in his own way. May God grant him many years!
Another interesting lead-in from my Yahoo news alerts for the Pope:
Glades Central overcame a gritty effort by Pope John Paul II with three touchdowns in the fourth quarter en route a 36-18 victory Friday in a game played in a driving second-half rainstorm.
Anyway it is nice to see schools named after the Holy Father so soon.
An anonymous cardinal has broken the secrecy of the conclave and has given a detailed account of the balloting.
I'm not including a link though since that would kind of violate the spirit of the secrecy the church requests.
Here are some good quotes of the Holy Father from World Youth Day:
"In these days I encourage you to commit yourselves without reserve to serving Christ, whatever the cost."
"Only he gives the fullness of life to humanity!"
"Dear young people, the happiness you are seeking, the happiness you have a right to enjoy has a name and a face: It is Jesus of Nazareth, hidden in the Eucharist."
"Be completely convinced of this: Christ takes from you nothing that is beautiful and great, but brings everything to perfection for the glory of God, the happiness of men and women, and the salvation of the world."
"The encounter with Jesus Christ will allow you to experience in your hearts the joy of his living and life-giving presence, and enable you to bear witness to it before others."
"Let yourselves be surprised by Christ! Let him have 'the right of free speech' during these days! Open the doors of your freedom to his merciful love!"
Truly I am pleased with this pontiff.
Due to concerns about people from the Balkans making it in as illegal immigrants, visitors to Germany for World Youth Day will be quizzed on their Christianity. You fail, you don't get a visa.
Pope softens his granite oratory, and his image
International Herald Tribune Mon, 04 Jul 2005 6:53 AM PDT
"Supporters and skeptics alike say Pope Benedict is revealing himself as a man more complicated, subtle and personally warm than many had expected from his years as the Vatican's defender of the faith."
The Pope spoke to a sick nun suffering from cancer on a cell phone at the weekly general audience this past Wednesday through the intercession of a town councilor from her city. She was to have come to the audience but was unable to due to her sickness.
What a thoughtful pope we have! How kind and gentle! I think he may give John Paul a run for his money ...
There is a delightful interview on ZENIT with Fr. Richard Neuhaus where he describes his outlook on Pope Benedict and discusses some of his personality. Check it out.
Will Benedict support collegiality — sharing more power with the bishops and exercising less centralization?
(Thanks, RC)
A reader asks where he can get an audio copy of the "Litany of the Saints" that was sung at Pope John Paul II's funeral. Can anyone help him? If so write me at eje [at] ewanco.com.
Pope John Paul's 1975 Ford Escort GL goes up for auction
"The only car the late Pope John Paul was believed to have ever owned is up for auction, and the seller expects it to fetch $1.5 million to $5 million US."
This one he actually used as Pope, and personally handed over to the present owner.
...bumper stickers (thanks to John Desmond)
Petition to have John Paul II henceforth known as John Paul the Great.
There is a good, if that be possible, New York Times article about the Pope which makes the observations that at his installation Mass the Pope "reverted to a wool pallium in the style worn by the pontiffs of the first millennium", that he had the Gospel chanted in both Latin and Greek (as once was done at every papal Mass" with a Byzantine deacon, and that "his main goal in restoring the liturgy is reconciliation with the Byzantine church." Couple that with his inclusion of the Eastern hierarchs in the funeral Mass of John Paul and a few other hopeful signs, and I expecting great things of this pope with respect to his relationship with Eastern Christians, both Catholic and Orthodox (and Apostolic and Oriental).
Here is a well-done slideshow tribute to John Paul the Great. It's not very long so give it a look.
I just ran across a quote from Pope Paul IV (notPaul VI) on Novus Ordo Watch:
"If ever at any time it shall appear that any Bishop . . . or any Cardinal of the . . . Roman Church, . . . or even the Roman Pontiff, prior to his promotion or his elevation as Cardinal or Roman Pontiff, has deviated from the Catholic Faith or fallen into some heresy: (i) the promotion or elevation, even if it shall have been uncontested and by the unanimous assent of all the Cardinals, shall be null, void and worthless..."
—Pope Paul IV, Cum Ex Apostolatus Officio, March 15, 1559
Now Novus Ordo Watch is a schismatic traditionalist site that criticizes everything modern in the church and is free with declaring heresy on all sorts of people who disagree with it. You can see where I'm going with this. While they did not say so explicitly, the context is clear that they think Pope Benedict is a heretic, and so his office is invalidated. I am left suspecting that Paul IV was not a lawyer, since he left a loophole on this decree wide enough that a convoy three lanes wide could drive through it. Who is it who judges that a Roman Pontiff was a heretic before his elevation? Whose standard is used? What keeps wackos like Novus Ordo Watch from arrogating to themselves the right to judge, and so justify disobedience of a objectively legitimate pope? The whole point of a pope is to prevent unresolvable differences like this over who's a heretic. What a powerful weapon Paul IV gave the present opponents of the church in this decree. How vaguely worded and poorly defined. I can only hope Benedict is more precise.
Of course, not that I'm lying asleep at night worrying about Novus Ordo Watch, and it's not an infallible decree, but it is just the principle of the thing that irks me.
Ok, life goes on ... that's what I get for reading Mark Shea's blog during work. (Though it is after 5 ...)
